Pietersen named RCB captain

Kevin Pietersen has been named captain of his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore for the second season of the IPL. Jacques Kallis will take over once Pietersen returns to England for his international commitments.

"I am pleased to announce that the captain of Bangalore Royal Challengers will be Kevin Pietersen," team owner Vijay Mallya said. "Jacques Kallis will take over as captain after Kevin returns to England."

Mallya said that Rahul Dravid, last year's captain was supportive of the decision. "Rahul Dravid has not only participated in this decision but is also supportive of it," he said.

There is also a possibility that Dravid might not be available for the IPL since his wife was expecting a child.

There is uncertainty surrounding Rahul's availability because his wife is expecting a child," he said. "How can you predict when a baby comes? That is the reason we chose two players who are certain. Rahul is very relaxed about not being the captain. Plus if he's unavailable then it won't make any difference. It was a practical decision."

Mallya was also optimistic of his team's performance this time around - they finished seventh last time. "My team was called a Test side last time," he said. "But this time we're a pretty good Twenty20 side. We have signed in a lot of youngsters. My side cannot be called a Test side any more. We have a pretty strong bowling line-up. The batting has been week but with Kevin, Robin Uthappa and Jesse Ryder coming in, it will make our batting line-up strong as well."